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Completed

NCT Number: NCT03489356

Project Options - The ABC Method

The present study explores the ability of dermatologists to influence patients' behavior using a novel and brief (3 minute) behavioral intervention in the context of naturally occurring patient interactions and shows promise for long term sustainability. The incidence of invasive skin cancers, cutaneous melanoma in particular, has nearly tripled in the U.S. between 1975 and 2004, making it the fastest rising incidence rate for all cancers in the United States. Dermatologists are in an ideal position to effect change in their patients. The present study will assess whether a brief intervention (The ABC-Addressing Behavior Change method) delivered to patients by dermatologists during a skin examination will increase the use of sun protection and reduce risk behaviors compared to patients who receive treatment as usual.

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Key information

Conditions

Dermatology/Skin - Other Behavior Burns Health Behavior Photosensitivity Disorders Skin Diseases Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases Sunburn Wounds and Injuries

Age range

21 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center

Hershey, Pennsylvania, 17033, United States

About this study

Skin cancer is the most common malignancy in the U.S. and the incidence and mortality from skin cancer is on the rise. Individuals can decrease their risk of skin cancer by engaging in protective behaviors such as limiting intentional and unintentional UV exposure, and wearing broad-spectrum sunscreens and protective clothing. Despite knowing the risks and receiving dermatological care, many patients with and without a history of skin cancer frequently forget to use UV protection or fail to use it in an optimal manner to reduce their UV risk. To address these concerns, Mallett and colleagues developed a 3-minute brief ABC intervention - Addressing Behavior Change. The ABC intervention is designed to be delivered by dermatologists in the context of a routine office visit involving a skin examination. Previous work by Mallett and colleagues showed dermatologists were highly motivated to deliver the intervention, quickly learned the requisite skills, delivered the intervention with fidelity, and showed minimal decay in knowledge, motivation, and skills over a 6-month period. This study builds on a previous study by conducting an examination of the efficacy of the ABC intervention on patients' motivations and behaviors utilizing a prospective longitudinal design.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • scheduled for a skin exam with participating dermatologists

Exclusion criteria

  • psoriasis

Treatment and study plan

Addressing Behavior Change (ABC)

Behavioral

The ABC is a 3-minute brief, dermatologist delivered intervention for dermatological patients that takes place during a skin examination. During the ABC intervention, dermatologists specifically assess patients' UV risk behaviors, discuss patients' motivation to use UV protection, and explore solutions to patient-reported barriers interfering with effective sunscreen use. Based on our previous research, the ABC intervention does not add additional time to the visit, but rather replaces treatment as usual conversations about sun protection.

Primary outcomes

  1. Patient Behavior Changes

    Time frame: 1 month and 3 months follow-up

    Examine changes in patients' protective behaviors through surveys; Patients asked for the percent of time they use sunscreen on face, use sunscreen on body, reapply sunscreen often, and cover their skin; Response options range from (0) 0% to (5) 100%

Secondary outcomes

  1. Sunburns

    Time frame: Baseline, 1 month follow-up, 3 month follow-up

    Number of sunburns reported by patients

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Penn State University

Other

Collaborators

  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Registry information

Official study title

Efficacy of a Behavioral Intervention to Reduce Skin Cancer Risk Among Patients

Important dates

Study start
2016
Primary completion
2017
Study completion
2017
First posted
Apr 5, 2018
Registry last updated
Dec 4, 2019

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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